Sign a Lu Fengxian at the beginning

Chapter 252 The Marquis of Donghuang returns to Luoyang

The Hall of Nourishing Heart.

After the Eight Sages King Zhou Xian left, Zhou Chen was silent for a while.

Zhou Chen knew that the Great Zhou Dynasty could still be as stable as Mount Tai even if the sun set in the west. This was because of Zhou Rushan, the ancestor of the royal family, and the two pillars of the Great Zhou Dynasty, Grand Master Wen Zhong and King Zhou Zhan.

It is precisely because of the existence of these three people that Zhou Chen has the opportunity to clean up the old mountains and rivers.

But now, Grand Master Wen Zhong has died in the four northwest prefectures.

Zhou Rushan, the ancestor of the royal family, is also approaching his end.

Two of the three pillars of the Great Zhou Dynasty are now gone, leaving only the backer King Zhou Zhan.

If it were done before, Dazhou might really collapse.

But now, as long as Zhou Chen is here, the sky of Zhou Dynasty will not fall, and neither will the royal family.

After Zhou Chen was silent for a moment, he continued to deal with government affairs.

As an emperor, nothing can easily affect Zhou Chen or influence Zhou Chen's mood.

It was not because the emperor was mean and cold-blooded, but because the emperor had already devoted everything he had to the world and could no longer tolerate personal feelings.

…

The death of Zhou Rushan, the ancestor of the royal family, did not cause much commotion, but caused some repercussions within the royal family.

Nowadays, the imperial court's tax reform, taking back the private soldiers of wealthy families, and investigating the cases of common people who have been robbed of their land are being carried out like tea.

Whether it is common people or wealthy families, the focus is on these matters that are related to their interests.

As for the death of Zhou Rushan, the ancestor of the royal family, basically no one paid much attention to it.

Only a few people from wealthy families would mention a few words after dinner.

And with the tax reform of the imperial court, the investigation of those land stolen by wealthy families was in full swing, which caused people all over the world to talk about it.

In the past, the sky in Dazhou was completely turbid.

How much land has been taken away from the people and forcibly annexed, but there is no way to sue.

In the end, I could only watch helplessly as my land was usurped and swallow my anger.

How many people, because they did not want their land to be occupied, were killed by landlords from aristocratic families and dumped in the wilderness.

Now, the imperial court is going to investigate and make decisions for their people.

Not only must we punish those aristocratic landowners who have taken advantage of and forcibly occupied their people's land, but we must also return the land that the aristocratic landowners have occupied to their people.

This made people all over the world weep with joy and praise the kindness of the court and the emperor.

The cancellation of tariffs also made all merchants in the Zhou Dynasty very happy.

For a long time, the business of the Great Zhou Dynasty has been suppressed by tariffs.

Merchants have to pay a customs fee before they even sell their goods.

Who can bear this?

Now that the customs tax has been cancelled, merchants can sell their products to all directions without having to worry about customs taxes and whether they can recoup their costs.

Although there is commercial tax, it will not be generated until the goods are sold.

The most important thing is that the Great Zhou court began to encourage business, which made merchants aware of the rising trend of Great Zhou commerce.

Countless businessmen are very excited.

The only people who were not happy and excited were the landowners from aristocratic families.

Because these actions and measures taken by the imperial court, whether it was tax reform or the withdrawal of private soldiers, were all aimed at their aristocratic landlords.

How can they be happy?

…

Lingnan.

Government office lobby.

Backer King Zhou Zhan looked at the news from Luoyang in his hand with a sad expression on his face.

The content of this news is exactly the news that Zhou Rushan has passed away.

The patron king Zhou Zhan did not expect that Zhou Rushan, the royal family's sea-fixing needle, would die like this.

He didn't even see her for the last time.

Although, before in southern Xinjiang, the patron king Zhou Zhan already knew that Zhou Rushan did not have much time left.

But the news of Zhou Rushan's sudden departure still caught the backer king Zhou Zhan a little off guard.

Zhou Zhan put down the message in his hand and sighed quietly, "Ancestor Rushan is gone like this."

Zhou Zhan, even though he was a patron king who was used to life and death, was feeling somewhat depressed at the moment.

Over the years, the royal family's talents have been somewhat withered.

There are only a few characters that the entire royal family can take advantage of.

Undoubtedly, Zhou Rushan, the ancestor, and his patron king are the two most important people.

Now, Zhou Rushan, the royal family's Dinghai Shenzhen, has gone, and only Zhou Zhan is left.

And his patron king, Zhou Zhan, is already very old.

Zhou Zhan, the patron king, calmed down his depressed mood and shouted outside: "Come here, prepare mourning clothes for me."

Emperor Zhou Chen has decreed that everyone in the royal family should pay homage to the ancestor Zhou Rushan for three days.

Then, Zhou Zhan, the patron king, is naturally no exception.

…

Song family.

In a separate courtyard.

The head of the Song family bowed to the ancestor of the Song family and said, "Ancestor, there is news from Luoyang that Zhou Rushan, the ancestor of the royal family, has died."

"oh!"

When the ancestor of the Song family heard this, a trace of surprise flashed across his face.

"I didn't expect that old guy Zhou Rushan would die like this."

"If you don't break through the heavens, you still can't escape the worldly birth, old age, illness and death!"

The ancestor of the Song family sighed and said.

It is said that the older you get, the more you fear death.

This is not true at all.

When he heard that Zhou Rushan had died, the ancestor of the Song family felt inexplicably sad.

It's not that the ancestor of the Song family had any fatal friendship with Zhou Rushan, so he felt sad about Zhou Rushan's death.

But when the ancestor of the Song family heard that Zhou Rushan had died, he was feeling sad about his destiny.

All in all, the ancestor of the Song family is the same as Zhou Rushan.

Even though they are all high-ranking half-step gods, they are all close to the age of destiny.

Now that Zhou Rushan's deadline has passed, it won't be long before it might be their turn.

"Ancestor, Zhou Rushan is dead, and the royal family..."

Before the head of the Song family finished speaking, the ancestor of the Song family shook his head directly: "Whether Zhou Rushan dies or not, he will have no influence on the royal family."

"Not to mention other people, just Cao Zhengchun can lay the foundation for the Zhou royal family for a hundred years."

The ancestor of the Song family understood what the head of the Song family meant.

But it's no longer what it used to be.

Previously, the royal family only had one Zhou Rushan.

Once Zhou Rushan dies, the royal family and the edifice will collapse.

But now, in addition to Zhou Rushan, the royal family also has Cao Zhengchun and the others.

Cao Zhengchun alone is enough to intimidate all parties.

The ancestor of the Song family couldn't help but think of the previous confrontation between the ancestors of the other three great clans and Cao Zhengchun.

The ancestor of the Song family felt a hint of bitterness in his heart.

Both are half-step celestial beings. The ancestor of the Song family cannot figure out why Cao Zhengchun is so terrifying, so terrifying that it makes people feel a sense of despair.

"I see."

The head of the Song family nodded and said no more.

Some words don’t need to be said directly, they just need to be understood.

…

The gate of Luoyang City.

Donghuang Hou looked at Luoyang City Gate with a melancholy expression on his face.

After annihilating Dongyi, Donghuanghou received the order from the court to return to the court to report.

However, because the war had just ended, Donghuang had many post-war matters that needed to be dealt with.

Therefore, Donghuang Hou delayed his arrival in Luoyang until today.

Looking at the two big characters "Luoyang" on the city gate, Donghuang Hou sighed inexplicably.

“I don’t know whether this return to the DPRK is a blessing or a curse.”

Donghuang Hou thought secretly in his heart.

It’s not that the Marquis of Donghuang is unfounded.

But Donghuang Hou knew in his heart that as a border lord with heavy troops, his situation was like walking on thin ice.

If you are not careful, you will fall into a place of no return.

Just like the Marquis of Zhenbei and the Marquis of Xiliang, the imperial court issued repeated orders to summon them back to the court to report.

Why did the Marquis of Zhenbei and the Marquis of Xiliang dare not return to the court?

Aren't you just afraid that once you go back to the DPRK, you won't be able to leave again?

Similarly, the Marquis of Donghuang is also afraid and has such worries.

Because before, the Marquis of Donghuang and the imperial court were seemingly inseparable and had bad blood.

Marquis Donghuang didn't know whether this return to the court was a disaster or a blessing.

But Dong Huanghou knew that he had no choice.

Today's imperial court is no longer what it used to be. It is no longer the same as before.

If he, the Marquis of Donghuang, dares to resist the decree, he will refuse to return to the court.

The Marquis of Donghuang was sure that he wouldn't even be able to see the sun the next day.

You must know that General Zhao Yun who guards the Eastern Capital is not a decoration.

After Dong Huanghou glanced at the two big characters on the gate of Luoyang City, he took a deep breath and said, "Let's go into the city."

Marquis Donghuang knew that this city gate was like a test of life and death.

Once you step inside, life or death is uncertain.

But Donghuang Hou still waved his hand and rode through the city gate with his guards and entered Luoyang.

Because he understands that only by stepping into this city gate can he have any chance of survival.

otherwise.

He must die.

…

Ministry of War Shangshu Mansion.

Li Yuan, Minister of the Ministry of War, had just returned to the house when the housekeeper walked in and reported: "Sir, someone is paying homage to the house."

"This is a greeting card."

The housekeeper handed a greeting card to Li Yuan.

"oh!"

"Do you know who he is?"

Li Yuan took the invitation and asked casually.

As the Minister of War, many people usually visit Li Yuan.

Therefore, Li Yuan was accustomed to things like people visiting his house.

The steward shook his head; "I don't know, there is no name on the invitation."

"However, the people who visited the house told the guard that he came from the east, and the master will know who he is when he opens the invitation."

The butler explained.

Under normal circumstances, a greeting card without a name like this would not be handed in at all.

After all, not everyone can send in invitations to the Office of the Minister of War.

What's more, it's a greeting card without a name.

But after hearing what the guard said, the housekeeper felt that the person visiting the house might know Li Yuan, so he did not deal with the nameless invitation privately, but reported it to Li Yuan with the invitation.

No name?

From the east?

Li Yuan frowned and opened the greeting card directly.

There was indeed no name or taboo on the greeting card, but when Li Yuan saw the big word "东" in the greeting card, a gleam flashed in his eyes.

Donghuanghou?

Li Yuan stood up immediately and walked directly out of the hall without saying a word.

Li Yuan already knows who the person who requested the invitation is?

Why is there a special word "东" on the greeting card that comes from the east?

Who else could be there besides the Marquis of Donghuang?

When the housekeeper saw his master, he glanced at the greeting card, then stood up and walked outside.

Who still doesn’t know, but the person who sent me this invitation probably not only knows my master, but also his identity is not ordinary.

The housekeeper also quickly followed.

…

More than ten minutes later.

Li Yuan, Minister of War, and Donghuang Hou were sitting opposite each other.

After the butler served the hot tea, he left.

Li Yuan looked at Donghuang Hou and asked, "Master Hou, when did you return to Luoyang?"

"I really didn't expect that you would suddenly come to pay homage to me, but it really makes me, Li Mansion, so proud!"

Li Yuan said with a smile.

Marquis Donghuang also smiled; "Master Li is joking, as long as Master Li doesn't think I am a plague god."

"I have just returned to Luoyang. I have been away from the court for a long time, and I have a dark eye on the current court."

"So, I came to visit Mr. Li."

Some things don't need to be said explicitly.

But Donghuang Hou believed that Li Yuan, the Minister of War, should understand what he meant.

After hearing the words of Marquis Donghuang, Li Yuan's smile gradually faded and he raised his eyebrows, "Hasn't the Marquis gone to pay homage to His Majesty yet?"

Dong Huanghou shook his head; "Not yet."

"I have just returned to Luoyang. It has been a long and dusty journey. I feel that going to pay homage to His Majesty like this would be a bit offensive to His Majesty."

"So, I'm going to visit Mr. Li first."

"I will go to see His Majesty after I have tidied up tomorrow."

Donghuang Hou explained.

After traveling for several days, Donghuanghou was indeed very dusty.

If you attack Mian Sheng in this way, it does mean that you are going against Tian Yan.

"Master Hou is confused!"

"As an important border general, the Marquis holds a large army. After returning to Luoyang, he did not go to the palace to meet the Holy Spirit and pay homage to His Majesty. Instead, he came to the residence of me, the Minister of War, first."

"What does this make Your Majesty think?"

Li Yuan originally thought that Marquis Donghuang had already entered the palace, so he came to the Shangshu Mansion of the Ministry of War.

But who would have thought that before Donghuang Hou entered the palace, he would come to the mansion of the Minister of War.

This made Li Yuan's expression change.

It's not that Li Yuan was afraid that the emperor Zhou Chen would misunderstand them.

But Li Yuan was worried that Donghuanghou would arouse the dissatisfaction of the emperor Zhou Chen.

Originally, the Marquis of Donghuang had already separated from the imperial court, and His Majesty in the palace also had doubts about the old generals at the border.

Now, the Marquis of Donghuang has returned to Luoyang. Instead of going to the palace to meet the saint, he first visits the courtiers.

Doesn’t this mean that you don’t take His Majesty in the palace seriously at all?

For an ordinary local official who has just returned to Luoyang and is so busy with travels, it is indeed not suitable for him to enter the palace to meet the saint, so as not to offend Tianyan.

But Donghuang Hou is different from ordinary local officials.

The Marquis of Donghuang is an important border general, holding military power and sitting in command of Donghuang.

For such a person, as soon as he returns to Luoyang, he enters the palace to meet the emperor as soon as possible, which will only symbolize his loyalty and the emperor's regard for him.

As for confronting His Majesty with such a dusty appearance, that is simply secondary.

After hearing Li Yuan's words, Donghuang Hou's expression changed immediately.

Obviously, Hou Donghuang also reacted.

Suddenly, Dong Huanghou's face turned pale.

Originally, when he returned to the court this time, he, the Marquis of Donghuang, had unpredictable fortunes and misfortunes.

This time, it was even worse.

"Master Li, don't talk anymore, I'm going to the palace first."

The Marquis of Donghuang stood up immediately and left the Office of the Minister of War.

Originally, the Marquis of Donghuang came to visit Li Yuan, the Minister of War, just to get close to Li Yuan, the Minister of War.

Then, I learned about the other important ministers from Li Yuan, the Minister of War, and visited them one by one.

The purpose was so that when Emperor Zhou Chen wanted to capture him, the Marquis of Donghuang, these ministers could intercede for him so that his life would not be in danger.

But now, Donghuang Hou no longer cares about this.

Because Hou Donghuang realized that he had made a potentially fatal mistake.

Therefore, now Donghuang Hou had to leave the Ministry of War Shangshu Mansion immediately and enter the palace to face the Holy Spirit.

Hope it's not too late.

(End of chapter)